Ball State senior quarterback Keith Wenning (10) passes against North Texas, during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. (AP Photo/The Denton Record-Chronicle, David Minton)

Written by

Ben Breiner
bbreiner@muncie.gannett.com

The words of Ball State's football players showed the pain of letting one slip away.

For a quarter and a half, they'd done things right against North Texas. Their lead was as large as 18 points. The defense good. The offense piled up yards and enough points despite an uncharacteristic run of turnovers.

But the Mean Green kept coming with big hits. The Cardinals' defense wore down and miscues popped up. Victory evaporated in the Texas heat. ...